In a surprising move, the BJP has chosen Bhajan Lal Sharma as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. This decision was made during the BJP legislative party meeting in Jaipur, attended by BJP observers Rajnath Singh, Vinod Tawde, and Saroj Pandey. Sharma, a first-time MLA from Sanganer assembly seat, was previously serving as the Mahamantri in the Rajasthan BJP.
The decision to appoint Sharma is seen as an effort by the BJP to maintain caste balance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in May 2024. Interestingly, Sharma is from the Brahmin community. Despite being a first-time MLA, he has been entrusted with the significant role of Chief Minister.
The BJP had secured a historic mandate in the recent Rajasthan assembly polls, winning 115 out of 199 seats, leading to the removal of the incumbent Ashok Gehlot government. The Congress won 69 seats, and the election for the Karanpur seat was not held due to the demise of the Congress candidate.
Before the official announcement, several names were considered for the CM post, including former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, state BJP chief CP Joshi, and others. Vasundhara Raje, in particular, was seen as a frontrunner, having met with loyal MLAs recently. However, the surprise decision to appoint Bhajan Lal Sharma has caught many off guard, including political observers and party members.
Notably, Sharma is expected to have two deputy chief ministers, although their names have not been disclosed yet. The move adds an element of unpredictability to the political landscape in Rajasthan, echoing similar developments in other states.
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